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#HIV antibodies

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

ELISA detecting HIV antibodies is an example of:

ELISA formats differ by what is immobilized and detected. Direct ELISA coats antigen and uses enzyme labeled primary antibody. Sandwich ELISA uses two antibodies to trap antigen. Competitive ELISA uses competition for signal reduction. Indirect ELISA coats antigen, commonly viral lysate, patient serum antibodies bind, then enzyme conjugated anti human immunoglobulin detects bound human antibody. HIV screening detects anti HIV antibodies in patient serum against coated viral antigens, so uses unlabeled primary from patient plus labeled secondary antibody, characteristic of indirect ELISA ensuring amplification and sensitivity for serology.

Ref: NCERT Biology Class XII Principles on Klenow fill-in labeling, Lehninger Chapter 9 DNA cloning techniques, and Molecular Cloning by Sambrook Chapter 10 documenting end-labeling of cohesive termini.

Which ELISA type is most suitable for detecting HIV antibodies?

Detection of HIV infection relies on measuring patient IgG against viral antigens such as p24, gp120 and gp41. In indirect format, recombinant HIV proteins are immobilized on solid phase, then incubated with serum. If anti-HIV antibodies are present, they bind specifically to coated antigens. Enzyme-linked anti-human IgG secondary antibody amplifies signal upon substrate addition. Direct coating of antibody would detect antigen, not suitable for early serology. Sandwich assay requires antigen with two epitopes and is designed for antigen detection, not circulating antibodies. Hence indirect design provides sensitivity and specificity for seroprevalence screening.

Ref: NCERT Biology Class XII Principles on Klenow fill-in labeling, Lehninger Chapter 9 DNA cloning techniques, and Molecular Cloning by Sambrook Chapter 10 documenting end-labeling of cohesive termini.